Every year one of our local newspapers, The Islander, names the “Islander of the Year,” an honor given to those who stand out in the community for their exemplary efforts in bringing forth what is best about Anna Maria Island. This year that honor is especially important to us because two of our “family members” - Rhea and Ed Chiles - were named as Islanders of the Year. While we certainly know just how special they are, we’d like to share with you a little bit about why they were chosen.
Rhea founded the Studio at Gulf and Pine, Anna Maria Island’s very own cultural arts facility. The Studio is not only a gathering place for artists and art aficionados, but it also serves as a Lifelong Learning educational facility, dedicated to hosting everything from seminars, discussion groups, and workshops on a wide variety of topics such as Spiritual Psychology and The Craft of Writing to offering classes in personal development, such as those that stem from Deepak Chopra’s Perfect Health Series.
Ed is well-known in the community for his generosity and his vision, both of which extend beyond ordinary measure. He has played a major role in Anna Maria Island’s evolving wedding industry, helping to put Anna Maria Island on the national map of Best Wedding Destinations, something which has kept many of our local businesses – salons, photographers, florists, planners, accommodations and more - afloat in a difficult economic time.
But perhaps even more importantly, Ed is someone who understands that in order to reach out and survive into the future, it is essential that we in the community preserve and stand strong in our roots. To that end, he continually gives back to youth and family organizations like Head Start and Healthy Families as well as those, like Meals on Wheels, which support our elders . His essential understanding of community preservation is also at the heart of the Pine Avenue Restoration Project, Ed’s latest visionary journey. The Project is committed to protecting and maintaining the original vision of the historic boutique business district of the Pine Avenue promenade, begun almost 100 years ago in 1911, while at the same time fostering the growth necessary to pave the way for Anna Maria Island’s future generations.
It is not hard to see why we could not be more proud of Ed and Rhea’s contributions to our community. Thanks for everything, Ed and Rhea!
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